PROTECT WHERE WE PLAY

From our stages to our stadiums, the ocean connects us all—but it needs our help. Protect Where We Play is an Ocean Conservancy initiative to turn our passion for sports, art and music into action for our ocean, so we can keep on playing for generations to come.

MEET THE TEAM
OCEAN CAPTAINS

Mobilizing the collective power of their fans and using their platforms to ride the wave, the Team Ocean Captains are leading the charge for Protect Where We Play.

Katherine Barkman

American ballerina

“For me – dancing is like breathing and after learning that every second breath we take is powered by the ocean – I feel compelled to get involved and do what I can to help protect our planet and ultimately the future of the things we love most.”

Photo credit: Trey McIntyre

Kelvin Beachum

NFL Athlete

“A clean ocean matters because it plays a crucial role in regulating our climate, producing oxygen for the planet, providing a vital source of food for humans, and contributing to a healthy global ecosystem. It provides and sustains life. Supporting Protect Where We Play is vital in protecting all our futures.”

© Arizona Cardinals

Napheesa Collier

WNBA All-Star

“I’m joining Protect Where We Play because I believe that if we can harness the joy, passion and fighting spirit that sports creates in us all we can achieve incredible things.”

Ezra Frech

Paralympian

“We need to do everything we can to reduce the impact of extreme weather events and the ocean is a powerful place to start. To protect our planet, and to create the best world we can for the next generation to enjoy sports like I have, we need to protect the oceans. We need to protect where we play.”

© IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Brent Suter

MLB Pitcher

“I want all our kids to be able to enjoy the game that has given me so much. We can all see that the impact of extreme weather on sports is getting worse – whether that’s hurricanes, fire or heat. If we want future generations to play, watch and love sports like we’ve done, we need to protect them. We need to Protect Where We Play.”

© Cincinnati Reds

MEET THE TEAM
OCEAN CAPTAINS

Mobilizing the collective power of their fans and using their platforms to ride the wave, the Team Ocean Captains are leading the charge for Protect Where We Play.

Katherine Barkman
Kelvin Beachum
Napheesa Collier
Ezra Frech
Brent Suter

Not a cause, but a movement

Protect Where We Play is a movement to turn our passion for sports, art and music into action for our ocean.

No matter who you cheer for, we’re all united by our passion for the athletes and artists we love. But rising temperatures and extreme weather events are threatening the game for all of us. Now is the time to protect our ocean so it can keep on defending game day and concert night. 

Don’t drop the ball. Join Team Ocean and become a part of the movement to Protect Where We Play today.

THE OCEAN IS THE WORLD’S
MVP
WHEN IT COMES TO A HEALTHY PLANET

Think of it as the true lungs of the Earth, working tirelessly to stabilize our planet's climate.
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A healthy ocean means a thriving future for the sports and entertainment we treasure.
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A HEALTHY OCEAN = A COOLER PLANET

The often unsung hero of our climate system, the ocean absorbs 25% of global CO₂ emissions and generates 50% of the oxygen we breathe—more than all the world’s rainforests.

A STABLE CLIMATE = Fewer extreme weather events

The ocean captures 90% of the excess heat generated by human activity. It helps prevent extreme weather events by maintaining a stable climate; keeping our hometowns, venues and stadiums safe.

A THRIVING OCEAN = PROTECTING WHERE WE PLAY

The ocean supports 100% of life on Earth. By safeguarding the ocean, we’re not just protecting marine life; we’re securing the places we love to play, watch and celebrate—from beaches to stadiums.

Join the movement to #ProtectWhereWePlay

The ball is in our court. We’re united by our passion to #ProtectWhereWePlay—forever and for everyone. Join Team Ocean to #ProtectWhereWePlay.

PARTNERING TO PROTECT WHERE WE PLAY WITH…

We have powerful players on our team. These partners are committed to amplifying our mission, mobilizing millions of fans and supporters to protect our ocean – and all that we love – from coast to coast.

Turn your
passion
into action

Secure an even bigger win for our ocean by helping us #ProtectWhereWePlay.

Join team ocean

Become a part of the movement that’s making waves, and stay up-to-date with our newsletter so you don’t miss a beat.

Donate to support

Your donation helps protect our ocean—all while supporting the athletes and artists, spaces and places you love.

Join team ocean

Become a part of the movement that’s making waves, and stay up-to-date with our newsletter so you don’t miss a beat.

ATTEND OUR EVENTS

Hosted by your favorite teams and entertainers, join fellow fans for our in-person events and activations to #ProtectWhereWePlay.

Donate to support

Your donation helps protect our ocean—all while supporting the athletes and artists, spaces and places you love.

UPCOMING EVENTS

If you’re looking for a sign to get off the sidelines, this is it. Join the movement to #ProtectWhereWePlay at an event near you.

LATEST NEWS

We’ve been busy scoring big for our ocean. Catch up on the latest news, announcements and updates from Protect Where We Play.

We’re starting a movement to #ProtectWhereWePlay

Meet #TeamOcean’s latest signing:
USA Artistic Swimming! ✨🏊‍♀️✨

This #TeamUSA squad of talented swimmers is our newest addition to #TeamOcean, and we could not be more excited to have them on our roster.

Dive in at Ocean Conservancy's #LinkInBio or visit ProtectWhereWePlay.com to find out why these athletes are so excited to dive in and #ProtectWhereWePlay! 🌊 🏆 🌊
Huge thank you to the @greensportsalliance for hosting a fantastic summit this week! 🌎 Ocean Conservancy is proud to partner with you to #ProtectWhereWePlay. 🌅

There’s a spot for everyone on Team Ocean. 🌊 Join us at ProtectWhereWePlay.com! 🏆
These incredible superstars are speaking—and singing!—out for our ocean. 🎤✨

We are thrilled to announce the launch of @OceanConservancy’s Protect Where We Play Tour, in partnership with GOAL, to reduce the plastic footprint during concerts and sporting events. With this new reusable cup program, our goal is to reach 1 million fans and prevent 1 million single-use cups from ending up in the waste stream.
 
Tour dates include...
🌊 June 6-7: Coldplay at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
🌊 September 27: The Lumineers at Enmarket Arena, Savannah, GA
🌊 October 25-26: Billie Eilish at UBS Arena, Belmont Park, NY
 
👀 We'll have more exciting announcements coming soon! 👀 Don't miss them—sign up now at ProtectWhereWePlay.com. 

Bold Reuse, a leading reuse service provider, is supporting the tour by managing all reusable cup operations at participating venues.
This #InternationalDanceDay, we’re proud to introduce @katherine_barkman as @OceanConservancy’s newest #TeamOcean captain for #ProtectWhereWePlay! 🌊

Katherine isn’t just a soloist for the @sfballet and an award-winning ballerina — she’s also making waves for ocean conservation. Hit the #LinkInBio to learn how she’s turning pirouettes into purpose for our blue planet! 🌊🩰✨ Footage courtesy of Iron Rose Productions. Photograph by Trey McIntyre. 📸

Use #ProtectWhereWePlay
to see yourself here!

Join team ocean to protect where we play